Published: 06:00, 22 June 2022
Owners who have to give up their pets due to the cost of living crisis have forced an animal shelter in Norfolk to create a waiting list.
About 29 cats and kittens, 22 dogs, seven rabbits and two guinea pigs are being cared for at the West Norfolk RSPCA Rehomeming Center in Eau Brink, near Kings Lynn.
With no more space, there is currently a waiting list of eight owners who also want to hand over their animals.
Branch manager Carl Saunders said veterinarians’ bills have often been a turning point for those struggling to cope.
Carl Saunders with Violet, four-year-old Beagle at the RSPCA West Norfolk Relocation Center – Credit: Chris Bishop
“The main problem is that if he has to give something, it will be the dog or the cat,” he said. “Now we see more and more animals being thrown away.
“Yesterday we brought two kittens that were found dumped on the side of the road in a cardboard box on the outskirts of Lynn.”
In a recent RSPCA survey of 4,000 owners, 78% said the cost of living would affect their animals, while 30% worried they could afford to take care of their pets and 20% worried about the cost. for their nutrition.
Emma Slavinski, director of advocacy and policy at the charity, said: “We are on the brink of an animal welfare crisis due to the increase in pet owners during the pandemic, combined with the cost of living that bites the pressure – especially those with lower incomes. This is absolutely heartbreaking.
Kitten in Need of Home at RSPCA Relocation Center – Credit: Chris Bishop
“We are beginning to see the consequences of this, as we and other charities have predicted. Unfortunately, we are beginning to see an increase in the abandonment of pets and a growing number of cats and rabbits that are being rescued and coming into our care.
“Unfortunately, we are now seeing an increase in pets coming into our care, a lot because owners are struggling to afford to pay for behavioral support, veterinary care or even feeding their pets.
Mr Saunders said recent arrivals included a pregnant pug whose owner could not afford the £ 1,400 emergency caesarean section.
“This owner did not expect a £ 1,400 bill,” he said. “Many people do not have a reserve of £ 1,400 to return.”
Dog patiently waiting for a new owner to come and take him home – Credit: Chris Bishop
The change in working models, forced by higher bills, was the last straw for others.
“We have a five-year-old French bulldog whose owners have to work more hours to make more money, so they don’t have time for the dog,” Mr Saunders said.
Breaking up relationships and forcing them to move to a new home or move into a property where pets are not allowed have also seen some owners forced to give up their pets. These include a couple with dogs aged 14, 10 and 8 who had to turn to the RSPCA.
“They’ve had them all their lives,” Mr Saunders said. “You can’t imagine the tears, it’s just awful.”
Carl Saunders, Manager of the RSPCA Branch in West Norfolk at Eau Brink – Credit: Chris Bishop
Others find their way to the RSPCA for a variety of reasons, such as the Beagle Violet, who doesn’t get along with the cat in her previous home.
So-called blocking puppies also find their way into society.
“They think they’re a gorgeous fluffy little thing like a puppy,” Mr Saunders said. “But they don’t stay a beautiful, fluffy little thing forever.”
The owner of a stray dog, brought in by a municipal dog warden, was tracked down by the implanted chip. But when they tried to contact the owner, they found that their calls were blocked.
Animal Care Assistant Helena Redfern with a kitten at Eau Brink – Credit: Chris Bishop
Mr Saunders said running the center costs around £ 275,000 a year, most of which is raised from its three charities and events such as the recent sponsored dog walk in Holcomb, which raised £ 2,000 for what the Countess of Leicester is called the Buttersey Dog House in West Norfolk.
Accommodation across the country has been delayed. The RSPCA moved an average of 753 animals per week in 2019, 565 in 2020 and 518 in 2021, which means that places are not vacated as quickly and animals remain in care for longer.
At Eau Brink, those looking for their eternal home can be seen online at westnorfolkrspca.org.uk.
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